Trans-placental exchanges of serum iron, hemoglobin and ferritin at the end of gestation in the human species

Abstract

This study relates to the determination of the concentrations of trans-placental exchanges of iron, hemoglobin and ferritin at the end of gestation according to the maternal martial status and the birth weight of the newborn. A total of 97 mother-newborn couples were included for this study in Algeria. Hemoglobin, iron and ferritin levels were measured in the maternal anticubital vein as well as in the umbilical vein after cord clamping. The mothers were classified into two groups, according to their hemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations, into anemic and non-anemic mothers. Newborns were classified into three groups according to their birth weights: nnormotrophs, hypertrophes and hypotrophs. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in our women was 40.2%. All concentrations of trans-placental exchange of hemoglobin, iron and ferritin were positive; and no significant difference was observed in the mean values of exchange of the parameters studied between anemic and non-anemic mothers. The hemoglobin trans-placental exchange concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.001) and for ferritin were significantly lower (P<0.05) in hypotrophic neonates compared to normotrophs and hypertrophies; on the other hand for the iron were similar. Our results confirm the adaptive metabolic function of the placenta to ensure normal growth of the fetus.